Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

IST has perhaps the best ICT infrastructure and support available anywhere in East Africa as evidenced by our

students' learning experience,

professional staff,

network,

devices and

platforms.

Student Experience

We use ISTE NETS standards for technology integration in the classroom.

Our Elementary Campus follows an integrated model incorporating the PYP skills of inquiry and NETS standards for students for implementing technology. The Secondary Campus follows the MYP Technology mode.

What this means is, for example, Grade 2 students can create a stop-motion animation to illustrate the digestive system while studying a Unit of Inquiry regarding nutrition. Also, it means our middle school students use software to tabulate and analyze environmental data collected during a lesson on ecology.

Our goal is to prepare our students with technological skills in a manner that is authentic, current and relevant to learning.

Professional Staff

On the Elementary Campus, two technology integration coaches support our teachers in implementing technology in the classroom. On the Secondary Campus, there are three technology teachers and support is available for integration in other classes. Both campuses are futher backed up by teams of experienced technicians to maintain equipment and help resolve technical issues.

All teachers are provided with Mac Book Pros for their professional use.

Network

Our network is quite possibly the most robust in East Africa. We have a wired 10 GB optical backbone and an equally strong wireless backbone as well, together supporting any device brought on campus. We have a Cisco network, providing seamless access for users across our two campuses.

Hardware and devices

The school has ICT labs on both campuses, as well as several laptop carts available for student use.

On our Elementary Campus, our ratio of computers to students is 3.0:1. We also have 29 SMART Boards, so that each Elementary classroom is equipped with this interactive tool for teaching and learning.

On our Secondary Campus, our ratio of computers to students is 2.4:1. In addition, many students bring their own devices to school, supported by our team of technicians.

In addition to the hardware already mentioned above, we also have digital cameras (still and video), voice recorders and projectors, as well as other devices.

Platforms

Our primary platform for teaching and learning is Apple/Macintosh, though Windows is also supported throughout the school. WordPress blogs are used widely on the Elementary Campus as a tool for communicating general activities taking place in the classroom. Moodle is used as the main virtual learning platform on the Secondary Campus.

IST is a Google Apps school using Gmail, Google Docs and other apps extensively across campus for educational and other purposes.

ICT Guiding Principles

Appropriate ICT use is an essential component of optimal learning environments.

ICT creates new teaching and learning opportunities that improve student learning and understanding.

ICT encourages fundamentally different forms of interaction between students, teachers, and the community. It contributes to a learner-centered, collaborative, engaging learning environment.

ICT provides the means for students to explain, interpret and apply their knowledge.

ICT provides students with an opportunity to work with the design cycle- Investigate, Plan, Create, and Evaluate.

ICT allows teachers to meet the diverse learning needs of students by adapting to individual goals and learning styles.

IST's approach to preparing our students with 21st century technology skills is to integrate and make effective use of information and communication technologies (ICT) across all subjects.

Access to IST computers and the school’s wireless network is a privilege available to students at IST. With privilege comes responsibility. Our goal in providing this service is to enhance student learning and teach them about being responsible citizens in the 21st century. The guidelines below are in alignment with the IST Rights and Responsibilities.

Student Responsibility:

I will accept responsibility for proper use of school technology and for reporting any misuse of technology.

I will respect the privacy and dignity of students and teachers at all times and will not use, copy, or delete another user’s files, folders, or passwords.

I am responsible for keeping secret any passwords given to me and updating these regularly.

I will not intentionally alter existing software, hardware or network systems and their settings.

I will respect school equipment and not vandalize it.

I will not spread computer viruses or malicious software of any kind and will take precautionary measures to prevent such a spread (i.e. regularly scanning flash drives for viruses).

I will not play games on the computer during school hours, unless a teacher has given consent.

MacBook Clause:

I will never carry more than 2 at a time.

I will always keep the screen closed when not seated and stationary.

I will always ensure the proper shutdown of the computer.

I will always attempt to login with my personal user account and will contact ICT staff or teacher when not able to do so.

Network/Internet Safety:

I will follow the guidelines below:

I will not publish offensive or defamatory material on a web page or site.

I will not access social networking sites (i.e. Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc.) at school unless instructed to do so for a class activity by the teacher.

I will only download or stream data (video, music, etc.) that meets international copyright law and with the express consent of the school's Network Manager or ICT Coordinator.

I will not publish on the Internet personal information about myself OR others such as my full name, phone number, or address.

I will use network folders for school-related tasks only and realise that it is not a place for music, games, or other data of a personal nature.

I will not access the school's internet service from my personal computer without the express consent of the ICT staff.

E-Mail / Communication Safety:

I will follow the guidelines below when using school computers/accounts:

I will ensure that any school email account given to me is checked regularly.

I will not use other programs to Instant Message or Chat without permission from my teacher.

The school may filter and monitor - at random - students’ school accounts to ensure that they are used responsibly.

Parent Responsibilities:

Parents are expected to help their child follow these guidelines by monitoring their child’s use of technology at home.

If a student chooses to violate these guidelines, then s/he is subject to disciplinary consequences which may include losing access to using IST computers and the school network.